Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Velani Ludidi
Published on 2024-04-11 10:31:07
The City of Cape Town has increased the security detail of its manager, Lungelo Mbandazayo, as a precautionary measure following the blacklisting of Glomix, a construction company owned by Nicole Johnson, the wife of suspected 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield. Daily Maverick has extensively covered the activities of the couple, revealing that Johnson’s company, Glomix House Brokers, has been involved in housing projects in Cape Town worth millions of rands for over a decade.
Johnson, the director of Glomix, secured housing tenders after 2014 despite facing criminal charges alongside Stanfield. The couple was arrested again in September 2024 in connection with car theft and fraud. As a result, they are currently in custody.
Mbandazayo launched an investigation into companies doing business with the municipality following the murder of City of Cape Town official Wendy Kloppers, who was killed in Delft in February 2023. It was suspected that Kloppers was targeted due to the City’s refusal to comply with gangsters demanding work from contractors at the Symphony Way Housing Project building site. Subsequently, companies owned by Johnson were blacklisted by the municipality.
Furthermore, the national government was petitioned by Mbandazayo to take action against Glomix after discovering that the company had submitted fraudulent B-BBEE certificates. The Treasury document confirmed the blacklisting of Glomix on 28 March 2024, citing the submission of fraudulent certificates as the reason.
To ensure the safety of Mbandazayo, the City of Cape Town’s VIP unit has intensified security measures, including providing a convoy of bikes, SUVs, and law enforcement officers. Additionally, Mbandazayo wears a bulletproof vest, and his security team is armed with rifles. This upgrade in security was deemed necessary following threats made by Stanfield against individuals, prompting concerns for Mbandazayo’s safety.
The City’s actions against extortion syndicates and construction mafias have garnered praise, with plans to inspire other municipalities to implement similar measures. However, there have been criticisms regarding the excessive security measures provided at the expense of taxpayers, with some questioning the need for such a significant security detail for city officials.
In conclusion, the City of Cape Town’s efforts to combat criminal activities and ensure the safety of its employees have been met with both commendation and scrutiny. The ongoing saga involving Glomix, Nicole Johnson, and Ralph Stanfield highlights the challenges faced in maintaining law and order in the region. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve and whether further security measures will be required to protect those involved.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
